Ray Waddell is the founder of CEC Electrical and CEC Facilities Group, where he built the company from a startup into one of the nation’s leading specialty contractors serving mission-critical electrical, mechanical, and technology infrastructure markets. Under his leadership, CEC completed thousands of complex projects across the United States and became a trusted partner to leading technology companies and industrial manufacturers. The company was ultimately acquired by Sterling Infrastructure (NASDAQ: STRL). 

Today, Ray serves as Strategic Advisor to Sterling’s E-Infrastructure Platform, advising on strategy, customer relationships, market expansion, and growth. He is also the founder of Firefly Capital, where he invests in technology, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, industrial services, and other private businesses. 

Ray was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Southwest Award Winner and is a member of YPO’s Lone Star Chapter. He holds a degree from the University of Mississippi, where he played Division I basketball for the Ole Miss Rebels.